UPDATE: Augusta city worker on leave with pay after alleged hit-and-run

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- An Augusta city worker is on leave with pay after an alleged hit-and-run.

Carl Benson Collins was put on leave Friday after he allegedly tried to make a u-turn, hit a parked car and then drove off. The incident happened when Collins was driving a city vehicle.

Deputies say Collins first said he wasn't there at all -- only to then later say he was there but did not hit a car.

Collins claimed the damage to his city vehicle came from hitting a pole.

"I'm still waiting on results from Risk Management on the results of the investigation and see what their findings are and what his side of the story is and we'll probably all get together and figure out what happened," said Traffic Engineer Steve Cassell.

Collins has not been arrested but was cited for failing to notify the owner after the accident.

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Richmond County deputies are investigating a city of Augusta employee accused of leaving the scene of an accident.

According to an incident report, Traffic and Engineering Department employee Carl Benson Collins was driving a city vehicle when he tried to make a u-turn in a cul-de-sac on Bedford Court.

Investigators say Collins hit a parked Mustang and drove away.

"We're dealing with a human being here. We'll see what the investigation reveals. I don't think he did anything malicious," said Traffic Engineer Steve Cassell. "He may have panicked. I don't know."

When questioned, deputies say Collins first claimed he was not on Bedford Court. Later on, he said he was on the street, but he did not hit a car. Collins claimed the damage to his vehicle came from hitting a pole.

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